The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
WASHINGTON LETTER
From our Regular Correspondent
WAsUrNqTON. ID. O.. Dec 12. rs

WASHINGTON. d. G., Dec 12, 1887.
The Democratic policy, as declared
by Speaker Carlisle and emphasized in
the excellent message Of President
makes it certain that tariff
REVISION is only question of very
short time, the only doubt being
as to what methods should be employ
ed to effect such legislation. Mr..
Cleveland's tariff manifesto is evident
ly his most popular and practical
ntterance, for it has taken the Demo.
cratic portion of Congress by storm
there being but few dissenting
voices, while it is clear from the guard
ed expressions Of Republican Con-
gressmen, that there is imminent dan
ger of the disintegration Of that party,
now that it is compelled to take an un-
equivocal position on the one vital is
sue of the times.
Mr.. Blaine's defiant deliversnce on
the message, as flashed from France,
is taken in the capital as virtually a
personal announcement that the man
from Maine is willing to enter the lists
as the advocate of a high protective
tariff against his old adversary 1t is
further believed that Blaine has
shrewdly scored two important pre-
limary victories over his Republican
competitors for the Presidential nomi-
nation-in being the first to roundly
condemn the message, and in having
the National Republican Convention
again called to meet at Chicago, the
scene of his former triumph. Sher-
mans friends favored Cincinnati, Ali
sons Minneapolis, and Hawley's Pbila
delphia.
There was great Republican pow.
WOW last week at the meeting Of the
Republican National Committee 10 thi,
city, many statesmen of national re
no wn being present, several OF whom
made speeches. One admission, mad
vertenlly made by Ex-senator Windon
of Minnesota, is worth quoting H.
said that if the Democrats were sue
cessful next year, the Democrac.
would probably continue in power fif
teen or twenty years. Most Democrat
endorse this prognostication.
Thos who had expected to witnes
exciting or sensational scenes at tn
organization of the Fiftieth or Cen
tennial Congress, were greatly disap
, pointed, as there was nothing unusual
, except a harmless outbreak from
! religious crank in the gallery, VIII
t aroused the risibilities of the vas
, ihrong bv singing the doxology In
: doleful solo. In both the Senate an
r House there seemed to have falle
: showers of fragrant and radiant flowers
n fresh from rosy gardens of bloom an
: beauty. 1t was pleasant sight
}. see the beaming faces of the favore
statesmen as they gratefully smile
t over the gifts of admiring friend
e But very many of the veteran Coz
"a gressmen were saddened as they sougf
o in vain for the familiar countenanc'
/ of numbers of their late colleague
n whose public careers had ended,
e least temporarily. Among the missir
v were 1875 from the House-two thirt
}. of the chairmen of committees beir
n included in the list. Those conspic
ous for absence in the House we
Morrison, Lowering, Warner, Wellbor
Bragg, and Barksdale, and from Il
Senate Camden, Maxey, Malone, Co
g ger. and "Woodpulp" Miller.
IS Last week only brief sessions
a Congress were held, and little re
'e work can be done until the committe
10 are appointed the Senate committe
J. will be announced this week, but OWL
,, to the much greater difficulty of orga
q izing the House Committees, it
u doubted whether they will be annouc'
!! before the holiday season.
y Since / last wrote you the Preside
H. has sent TO the Senate the long expe,
!, ed nominations for the Supreme Cou
III and the Cabinet, and it is thought tn
will be easily confirmed, though the
+ are rumors of opposition to Mr.. Lam
's and Mr.. Villas.
. The Supreme Court rendered ty
!. important decisions last week, revel
- ing U. S. Judge Bond in the Virgin
~ coupon cases-a notable triumph
10 States rights, and affirming the cons
n n tutionality of the Kansas prohibito
'n lava great victory for the Prohi
~ ton party, and anything but an accel
;; able verdict to the Republican party
- Mr. Randall is carefully preparing
F. bill Of revenue reduction and tariff
as form, looking to a sixty million dol
~ cut in taxation-the amount to
y about evenly divided between the tar
r. r and internal taxes. 1t is the purp'
or r of the Pennsylvania statesman to of
=. this bill early in the session.